Illinois gas station owners oppose fuel tax hike plan

SPRINGFIELD — A recent proposal to raise the Illinois fuel tax to pay for state transportation costs is meeting opposition.

Retail gas station owners announced their opposition to such a plan on Monday in Springfield. They say raising the tax hurts drivers and businesses during a tough economy.

Bill Fleischli is the vice president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association. He says the state should stop diverting money intended for roads to other areas of the budget.

The Transportation for Illinois Coalition has a plan for funding road construction and public transit. It includes increasing the motor fuel tax by 4 cents and eliminating the ethanol credit for gasoline.

Funding for a five-year capital program is set to expire this year. The motor-fuel tax hasn’t increased for transportation purposes since 1990.

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